Meteorologist Amy Freeze shares the latest weather outlook for Salt Lake City and the broader Southwest, highlighting unexpected weather patterns and temperature surges.

Hello, it’s Amy Freeze bringing you this week’s Southwest forecast. Salt Lake City is enjoying partly cloudy skies today, with temperatures gently climbing through the evening. Not so far away, San Francisco and Phoenix show remarkable contrasts, from light rains to clear, dry conditions. And don’t miss the spring snow still affecting Sierra Nevada! Always remember to protect yourself from high UV rays anticipated next week, and check back daily for updates on these fluctuating temperatures and conditions unique to our Southwest. The Southwest radar indicates a mix of weather conditions across the region. San Francisco is experiencing light rain as showers move in from the Pacific, while Fresno sees a more scattered rainfall pattern. Phoenix and San Diego remain under clear skies, enjoying dry weather conditions. Surprisingly, spring snow is still impacting the the Sierra Nevada high elevations.
Expect a pleasant afternoon in Salt Lake City with temperatures rising from 66 degrees at 4 PM to 68 degrees by 6 PM, and holding steady through 8 PM. Winds will be from the west-southwest at around 9 mph, shifting to west-northwest at 7 mph later in the evening. Skies will be partly cloudy early on, clearing to mostly sunny by 6 PM with some clouds returning by 8 PM.
Today in Las Vegas, expect a hot afternoon with a high of 95 degrees. Phoenix will be even warmer, reaching a scorching 99 degrees. Los Angeles will see a more moderate high of 83, while San Diego is slightly cooler at 82 degrees. San Francisco will only hit 69 degrees as coastal influences keep it mild.
Tonight Las Vegas will see a low of 72 degrees, while Phoenix remains warmer at 74. Flagstaff is much colder, with temperatures expected to hit 42 degrees, and Ely will dip even further to 40. In California, Los Angeles will cool down to 58 degrees, and San Francisco is looking at a low around 52. Bakersfield will also experience a slight chill tonight, with a low of 63 degrees.
High temperatures in the Southwest tomorrow are surge above average due to a warm ridge of high pressure dominating the region. Phoenix is set to swelter with a high of 104 degrees, while Las Vegas also sizzles at 100 degrees. Bakersfield and Fresno will be quite warm as well, both hitting 95 degrees. San Diego remains mild at 82 degrees, and Los Angeles reaches 85 degrees.
By tomorrow afternoon, a robust system begins to push cooler air into the Great Basin, resulting in shifting winds and a drop in temperatures overnight. A few scattered showers are anticipated across the northern areas of Arizona and New Mexico, with a critical fire risk persisting due to gusty winds and dry conditions. Along the California coast, some cloud cover may develop, but rainfall is unlikely.
The UV index in Salt Lake City is expected to be high on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a rating of 8 both days. This indicates a burn time of about 17 minutes in direct sunlight, so it’s essential to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing if you’re spending time outdoors.